Using cell stress to help kill ovarian cancer cells
Enhancing endoplasmic reticulum stress in ovarian cancer
A new drug called ERX-208 aims to increase stress inside ovarian cancer cells so those tumors are more likely to die in people with ovarian cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11284005 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is developing ERX-208, a compound that increases stress in the cell's protein-folding system (the endoplasmic reticulum) to trigger cancer cell death. In the lab the team tested ERX-208 on ovarian cancer cells, on patient tumor samples grown outside the body, and on human tumors implanted in mice, and saw reduced tumor growth. They used CRISPR genetic screens to identify the drug's key target, the enzyme LIPA, and showed that changing LIPA levels alters responsiveness to ERX-208. Although the work is preclinical, it directly uses patient tumor tissue and is intended to guide future human trials if results remain promising.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with ovarian cancer—especially those whose tumors have become resistant to standard chemotherapy—would be the most likely candidates for future clinical trials based on this work.
Not a fit: Because this research is currently preclinical, there is no direct enrollment for patients now, and people without ovarian cancer or whose tumors lack the drug target (low LIPA) are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to new treatments that make chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancers more likely to die and improve patient outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Related strategies that overwhelm cancer cells' protein-handling systems have worked in other cancers (for example proteasome inhibitors in multiple myeloma), but ERX-208 is a novel, first-in-class approach for ovarian cancer and remains early-stage.
Where this research is happening
San Antonio, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Science Center — San Antonio, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vadlamudi, Ratna K — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Vadlamudi, Ratna K
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.